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Restrepo

Two filmmakers play flies on the wall in Afghanistan with an army platoon for thirteen months.

Although, I’ve never seen any sort of footage like this before, nor has most Americans, many questions were left unanswered. The only interviews we have are of the soldiers after their stint in the Korangal Valley. There is no information given such as the significance of this hill top. If you want to learn more about what these guys were doing there or where they were, you’ll have to do your own research. I appreciate the filmmakers for making this from a neutral ground and their bravery. After watching Restrepo, audiences will feel empathy for the soldiers. They will then turn empathy into gratitude or will be in fear that these are the kinds of men that are there “fighting for our freedom”. Scenes of the soldiers lifting weights shirtless, leg locking, and dancing to techno reminds me of gay prison sex.

I would recommend watching this documentary for a prototypal view of an army unit in Afghanistan. 3 1/2 stars.